Ayahuasca Ceremony (4 days)

Mystical Heliconia

Heliconia Amazon River Lodge, named like that because of the beautiful tropical flower: Heliconia, is one of the most exclusives lodges in the Peruvian Amazon. It is surrounded the rainforest, islands and lagoons full of wildlife.

Heliconia Amazon River Lodge offers a blend of traditional shamanism, transcendental exercises, and mysticism into an amazing Amazon River trip that offers a truly unique and life-changing experience in the heart of the Northern Peru jungle. You will journey into a world of holistic and universal spirituality and closeness with nature, in a safe and supportive environment where individuals can experience personal growth, energetic evolution, and healing through Amazonian shamanism. At the same time, stay in authentic comfort during your rainforest spiritual sojourn amidst the astounding biodiversity and environmental learning. Explore the jungle, feel the wildlife first hand and appreciate the wonders of nature as you undertake a positive life transformation.

The Ayahuasca Ceremony

The ceremony starts at 10:00 pm. and is directed by a master shaman, all the participants will be seated in a circle. The special place built and designed for this ceremony will be semi-dark and quiet. The shaman will explain the ritual. The Shaman starts the ceremony "ICARANDO" (blowing Mapacho cigar smoke on the ayahuasca brew) asking for permission to the almighty and spirits of the plants to start the ritual. After 20-30 minutes of drinking the ayahuasca brew the participants will start feeling its hallucinogenic that last for approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours.

Day 1: ... (Lima) / Iquitos / Heliconia Amazon River Lodge (L-D)

You will be met and welcomed by our staff at the Luggage Claim area of the Iquitos Int'l Airport where our staff will assist and transfer to our Office in Iquitos town proper.

A briefing about our services, what to expect during your stay and some essential tips will be carried out shortly.

Soon after, you will transfer to the Bellavista Port, where you will board one of our motorized boats to take you to the Heliconia Amazon River Lodge along the Amazon River. While cruising, notice the convergence of the brown turbid waters of the Amazon River with the dark waters of the Nanay River. Enjoy the impressive jungle landscapes with the rustic small houses of the riverside towns.

Then have a short stopover in Monkey Island, a family social enterprise focused on conserving and protecting endangered monkey species in the Northern Amazon. The goal is to enlighten rainforest guests on the effort to reintegrate monkeys and their survival in the wild. See the monkeys free in this reserve, not in cages, their temporary stay here depends on their capability to adapt back to its jungle habitat.

After a 90 minute boat ride arrive at the Lodge where our staff will welcome you with an exotic jungle drink. Next check-in and settling in your room, at your leisure, taste your first Amazonia cuisine lunch.

In the afternoon, begin your first excursion: set out to a jungle hike into the Yanamono primary rainforest reserve, for approximately two hours accompanied by our expert guides. They will show you identify several flora species such as heliconia flowers, medicinal plants and giant trees. You will also have the chance to sight several birds species such as the Turkey Vulture (Cathartes aura), Black Fronted
Nanbird (Monasa atia) , etc., and with a little luck you will be able
to see small monkeys such as marmosets (Saguinus fusicollis), and the
Titi Monkey (Callicebus mollock mollock) and the Squirrel Monkey
(Saimiri boliviense).

Return to the lodge for rest and relaxation and be enthralled by your first, must-not-miss Amazon Sunset. As the evening comes around, during high tide, take a boat ride along one of the Amazon River's tributaries for an exciting evening in the jungle, with no lights, perhaps just some jungle flora and fauna sparkling in the dark.

You will have to trust your expert boat guide to take you where you can appreciate and listen to the magical sounds of the jungle. If it is a clear night, you will see the bright magnificent moonlight, as well as observe the stars and constellations. With some luck you can also see some falling stars which are quite common in the area.

Return to the lodge and at the appointed time, you will meet your Shaman who will give you an orientation of the Ayahuasca experience.

Day 2: Heliconia Amazon River Lodge (B-L-D)

Rise early for the Morning Bird Watching. In order to see the birds flocked together during their morning feeding time, start very early by boat to one of the several streams (best on high tide) to observe a good variety of birds. Look out for species such as the Tuki (Jacana jacana), Ringed Kingfisher
(Ceryle-torquata), Black-Collared Hawk (Busarellus
nigricollis), among others.

Then, return to the lodge, for an energizing breakfast.

Take a little rest and set off to a Native Fishing expedition unto one of the small tributaries of the Amazon River. Learn the local techniques of fishing and for the most daring try to fish for Piranhas. During this excursion you can have the opportunity to see some Pink River Dolphins (Inia geoffrensis).

Back to the lodge for a nourishing lunch, and afterwards, board the boat towards a lake in Yanamono island (best on high tide) to glimpse the Giant Water Lily, the Victoria Regia, the "Queen of water lilies". Now renamed Victoria Amazonica, these native flora in the shallow waters of the Amazon River basin are mostly found in oxbow lakes and bayous. You may see some flowers that are white as they bloom on the first night some that have turned pink on the second night after blooming. They can grow to 40 cm in diameter, and are pollinated by scarab beetles. Victoria Amazonica is well known for its huge circular leaves, which are often pictured with a small child sitting at the center of its leaf to display their size and strength.

In the evening, consider a Nature Night Hike. Go on an enchanting trek within the secure periphery of the Lodge and to witness the entrancing transformation from daytime to a night atmosphere. As you adjust to the dark environment you will appreciate the existence and habits of nocturnal jungle fauna such as tarantulas, fire flies, owls and bats. Listen to nocturnal forest sounds and spot species that only emerge at night.

Back to the Lodge, a special dinner is prepared for you who will participate in the Ayahuasca Ceremony. At 10:00 pm, in an exclusively built area, join the rituals which include ingestion of a sacred visionary plant Ayahuasca or Yage, to open your consciousness and unveil the spiritual world, meant to cleanse the body and spirit. Take part in the ceremony, where the shaman (curandero) sings icaros (medicine songs) and plays the shacapa (a leaf instrument) to call in the spirits that will help you achieve personal transformation. Then, a relaxing and restful night at the Lodge.

Day 3: Visit to a Riverside Town (B-L-D)

Wake up late or rise early — the choice is yours.

Breakfast begins at 8:00 a.m. for those who want to avoid the heat, and enjoy nature at its fullest. Relish a full breakfast before departure.

After your meal, breakfast, take the boat to a riverside town to visit a Yagua Indigenous Community where you learn and appreciate their way of life in the Amazon River. See their homes, school, church, shops and interact with the people; discover their techniques of fishing and farming. Observe their customs and tradition and get enlightened by their unaffected and austere way of living.

Then, set off to a Native Fishing expedition unto one of the small tributaries of the Amazon River. Know the local techniques of fishing and for the most daring you can try to fish for Piranhas. During this excursion you will have another chance to look out for the Pink River Dolphin (Inia geoffrensis).

Return to the Lodge for rest, dinner at your leisure and overnight at the Lodge

Day 4: Iquitos / ... (Lima) (B-L)

Enjoy a full breakfast before departure.

A ten-minute boat ride on the Amazon River takes you to Family farm for a Trapiche Treat in a rustic sugar cane distillery located along the river. Watch how the locals process sugar cane extracts using horses and ferment sugar juice in wooden vats for a period of time to transform to alcoholic drink. Get a taste of the varied exotic beverages made from the sugar cane liquor and sugar by-products such as molasses. You may want to buy some to take home for yourself or as present.

Return to the Lodge for lunch and check-out.

After lunch, depending on your flight schedule, transfer to Iquitos
City and according to your departure, to the airport.

Recommendations:

Arrival in Iquitos has to be before 9:00 am and departure after
5:00 pm. Other schedules has to arrange extra boat with additional cost.

The native Indian tribes in the area are very poor and love
to receive gifts of used clothing, old toys or anything at all that the
tourist does not need and wishes to donate. Also, any items for children such
as paper, pencils and pens are very gratefully received.

Rates apply to foreign tourists, not residents in Peru and there are expressed in U.S. Dollars. Our fares include all taxes.

The system must only process reserves received at least 7 days before the date of trip.

Unused services are not refundable

Rates subject to change and / or availability

Does not apply to dates of Easter, Independence Day (25 to 31 July), National Holidays, Christmas, New Year and Special Events

Icaros Chamánicos, Ayahuasca - Video

Heliconia Amazon River Lodge - Video

Secure Site for Online Booking - Peru Travel Agency - Iquitos Tours

Our system will only require payment of booking services after our Travel Consultants has sent you the confirmation codes and availability for all services required.

The online payments in Peru-Top10.com and associated websites, are guaranteed and 100% safe and secure, you can choose to pay with PayPal or E-Latin Travel payment gateway, certified and safe. Both payment methods with credit cards offer security not exchange confidential information or to disclose your number of credit card, with our staff and meet the highest safety standards in the industry, globally accepted for payment processing online.